Why single coil at neck?
- Thread starter joho1701
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Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Why single coil at neck?
JB in the bridge? Single coil in the neck? Warm grungy tone? Sounds like Kurt Cobain.
I unfortunately can't help you much because the answer is as simple as can get. Some people really love the sound of neck single coils but also like hot bridge humbuckers like the JB so they have both. That's the advantage.
Do they sound good when used together in the middle? It's subjective but also depends on which neck single coil we're talking about too. If you don't like the neck position and you usually use humbuckers, maybe you'll like a single coil there instead. Or maybe you won't and it'll take away what you like about the middle position, but that is completely up to your personal taste.
JB in the bridge? Single coil in the neck? Warm grungy tone? Sounds like Kurt Cobain.
I unfortunately can't help you much because the answer is as simple as can get. Some people really love the sound of neck single coils but also like hot bridge humbuckers like the JB so they have both. That's the advantage.
Do they sound good when used together in the middle? It's subjective but also depends on which neck single coil we're talking about too. If you don't like the neck position and you usually use humbuckers, maybe you'll like a single coil there instead. Or maybe you won't and it'll take away what you like about the middle position, but that is completely up to your personal taste.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Why single coil at neck?
The idea behind the HS pickup configuration is that switching between the two provides a distinct contrast of both tone and output level. Depending on amplifier and pedal gain settings, this could be enough to flip between crunch and full-on distortion.
The idea behind the HS pickup configuration is that switching between the two provides a distinct contrast of both tone and output level. Depending on amplifier and pedal gain settings, this could be enough to flip between crunch and full-on distortion.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Why single coil at neck?
So you can get both sounds. o.0
So you can get both sounds. o.0
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Why single coil at neck?
The first one I saw use that config was Lynch, and he used the neck for cleans and the bridge for distortion. Since he turned out to be an influential player, I'm assuming that's what most people were going for when they went with H-S, or even H-S-S to get those position 4 neck+middle Strat tones. Middle+Bridge became irrelevant, but since you can't get neck+middle single coil tones easily without H-S-S and a 5-way, that's how it was.
Then you also have those who can't pick properly complaining about the middle single getting in the way, and again, they only use the neck for cleans, and want Strattish neck single clean tones. This is also why you typically see the neck pickup being the only one set up for splitting, so they can get both Strattish neck cleans and humbucker distorted lead tones ala Dave Murray.
The first one I saw use that config was Lynch, and he used the neck for cleans and the bridge for distortion. Since he turned out to be an influential player, I'm assuming that's what most people were going for when they went with H-S, or even H-S-S to get those position 4 neck+middle Strat tones. Middle+Bridge became irrelevant, but since you can't get neck+middle single coil tones easily without H-S-S and a 5-way, that's how it was.
Then you also have those who can't pick properly complaining about the middle single getting in the way, and again, they only use the neck for cleans, and want Strattish neck single clean tones. This is also why you typically see the neck pickup being the only one set up for splitting, so they can get both Strattish neck cleans and humbucker distorted lead tones ala Dave Murray.
Re: Why single coil at neck?
As was said, the idea is to have a guitar that can get the chunkiness of a rock machine with the chime of a single coil in the neck position. The problem is balancing the 2 pickups. Single coils are generally quieter, so many times the humbucker overpowers the quieter single coil. But many people like the un-balance! There are no rules. This combination is one attempt to get 2 different sounds out of one guitar.
As was said, the idea is to have a guitar that can get the chunkiness of a rock machine with the chime of a single coil in the neck position. The problem is balancing the 2 pickups. Single coils are generally quieter, so many times the humbucker overpowers the quieter single coil. But many people like the un-balance! There are no rules. This combination is one attempt to get 2 different sounds out of one guitar.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Why single coil at neck?
Whoa, deja vu thread
Whoa, deja vu thread
swissmountain
Member
Re: Why single coil at neck?
Bridge humbucker and neck single coil is a great combination in which each pickup does what it can do best. At the neck, where string movement is strongest, a single coil will keep things clear. At the bridge, where the string movement is shallow, a humbucker (if the coils are wired in series) should help to prevent getting the tone to be too shrill and thin.
With a JB in the bridge spot I would look for a higher output single coil, otherwise the volume drop could be too drastic. No problems however if you use the neck pup for cleans and the bridge for crunch/lead tones only.
Bridge humbucker and neck single coil is a great combination in which each pickup does what it can do best. At the neck, where string movement is strongest, a single coil will keep things clear. At the bridge, where the string movement is shallow, a humbucker (if the coils are wired in series) should help to prevent getting the tone to be too shrill and thin.
With a JB in the bridge spot I would look for a higher output single coil, otherwise the volume drop could be too drastic. No problems however if you use the neck pup for cleans and the bridge for crunch/lead tones only.
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